Eagle Rock Wins Halt on Mini-Malls

In two separate actions this week, the Los Angeles City Council approved a yearlong moratorium on the construction of mini-malls along Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock and gave preliminary approval to a six-month moratorium on such construction citywide.

Both bans are intended to give the city time to draft more stringent design rules. The Eagle Rock moratorium was proposed earlier this year by City Councilman Richard Alatorre, who represents the area. Meanwhile, Mayor Tom Bradley proposed the shorter but more inclusive ban because of complaints that corner shopping plazas are proliferating throughout the city.

A similar moratorium has been in place since late May in Councilman Michael Woo's 13th District, which includes parts of Silver Lake. That ban expires in 60 days, but the district will then be protected by the citywide ordinance if City Council gives final approval as expected on July 1.

The Eagle Rock ban covers a one-mile stretch of Colorado between Eagle Vista Drive near the Pasadena boundary and Eagle Dale Avenue near the Glendale city line for one year and can be renewed if necessary.

"I'm very happy about our little success," said Kathleen Aberman, a community activist who was arrested in March when she climbed atop a historic brick building to protest its demolition for a mini-mall. Aberman was released and the developer did not press charges.